Cultural Resources & Planning Specialist, VPT

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Environmental Planner/Cultural Resources Specialist with the intellectual curiosity and initiative to help drive the growth of our dynamic team of environmental consultants in the Pacific Northwest. This is a cross-practice senior-level position with expertise in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act compliance, and in leading tribal engagement efforts on a broad array of projects and issues. This position will report to ESA’s Environmental Planning Team and will also provide services for ESA’s Cultural Resources Team. This opportunity is focused on collaboration, team building, quality deliverables, outstanding client service, business development, and being part of a growing team with a passion to do great work and have fun together. This position is based in Portland, OR.

Who You Are 

• You hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in archaeology/anthropology or a related field. with working experience in environmental planning, environmental policy, or a related interdisciplinary field. 
• You have a minimum of 20 years of experience leading or directing the development of tribal outreach plans and early engagement strategies, tribal meeting facilitation, and supporting NEPA and environmental permitting efforts for clients across the NW in key markets, including energy, water, and transportation for both public agency and private development clients.
• A master's degree with 15 years of relevant experience will be considered as well.
• You have led or been a project manager for at least one complex permitting project in Oregon or Washington state.
• You have hands-on experience, a get-it-done attitude, and a working knowledge base of SEPA, land use, and environmental permitting, and relevant regulatory and environmental regulations and processes in Washington state.
• You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written, and supported, and for your ability to present information understandably and speak persuasively about complex topics to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders, and the general public.
• You are a collaborative and supportive team member and communicator who takes the initiative to identify and contribute to broad project or team goals, providing mentoring and coaching to more junior staff to foster team success. You work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver your projects on time and within budget and have developed and tracked scope, schedules, and budgets.
• You are an environmental and cultural resources specialist who has significant experience working on a variety of infrastructure projects that involve water and biological resources, multiple interested parties with conflicting missions
• You possess excellent oral and presentation skills and have led and directed efforts including programmatic approaches, streamlining section 106 and the environmental process, capture strategies, and competitive proposals. You have an interest in business development and have experience acquiring work through your existing network.
• You are located in Oregon or Washington and have experience working directly with Northwest tribes.
• Experience with and interest in supervising and mentoring staff.

What You Will Do for ESA

• You will serve as Project Manager or Senior Cultural Resources Specialist developing tribal outreach, meeting facilitation, and early engagement strategies for clients across the NW in key markets including energy, water, and transportation.
• You will serve as Project Manager or Senior Environmental Planning Specialist, and/or contributing author for SEPA and NEPA documents for a variety of projects. As a senior-level Environmental Planner, you will lead or direct multi-faceted permitting projects in collaboration with scientists, engineers, archaeologists, landscape architects and other specialists on public and private development projects.
• You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the development of compliance and planning documents in accordance with applicable guidelines and requirements, while delivering assignments within budget and schedule.
• You will serve as a NEPA/SEPA specialist, preparing and managing complex environmental documents including federal permit applications, NEPA environmental documentation, and SEPA checklists and Environmental Impact Statements.
• You are a subject matter expert adept at coordinating with clients, discipline leads, technical and support staff, subconsultants, and stakeholders. You will produce and review technical work and written products that are clear and concise.
• You will consistently demonstrate your solid writing skills, attentive listening skills, and participate in and/or lead client meetings, present at or provide support at community workshops and public hearings by effectively presenting complex technical information clearly and concisely.
• You will lead and support business and client development efforts including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal/interview teams. These efforts will include having the responsibility for preparing scopes of work and budgets.
• You will provide mentorship and support for entry- and mid-career staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity, and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.
• You will thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and be able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently. You will be committed to treating people respectfully and equitably.

What’s Special About Our Team

We are passionate about helping communities address the challenges of our communities in the 21st century. We value creative thinking, diversity, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. As a Senior Environmental Planner, Tribal Engagement Strategist, and Project Manager, you will be focused on the pursuit and management of complex, high-visibility projects that bring prestige and accolades to the firm and to our Pacific Northwest clients. The Environmental Planning and Cultural Resources practices include environmental and land planners, environmental policy and permits specialists, natural resources scientists, pre-contact and historical archaeologists, geoarchaeological specialists, tribal consultation specialists, architectural historians, historians, and paleontologists that provide expertise for local, state, and federal agencies throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our work matters because we assist agencies in ensuring that our nation’s history and that of the tribal communities with whom we work are protected where possible and treated with respect. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.

In the Northwest, our dynamic group of employee-owners is working on projects for clients such as the City of Bellevue, City of Tacoma, Pierce County, King County, the Port of Seattle, City of Vancouver, City of Bend, City of Salem, City of Camas and many other public and private sector clients. Our team thrives on being at the leading edge of environmental and climate science, planning, and policy in the Pacific Northwest. You will be client-focused, fostering relationships with ESA’s existing clients, engaging in the professional community, and developing and expanding new clients. You will love our company culture which fosters ownership and collaboration in a flexible, fun work environment that supports your professional growth and success.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

You are eligible to participate in ESA’s sick leave program. You may be eligible to participate in our employee stock ownership program and tax deferred 401(k) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements for these plans.

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.

 Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

• Full name
• The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
• Title of Job Position Applied
• Description of your accommodation request

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)